Flowery Branch buys buildings, sets lease

Flowery Branch City Council approved the purchase of two buildings, 5509 and 5511 Main St., for city use at a cost of $300,000 today. The city had been renting the building at 5509 Main for the past two years for use by the city's planning department.

Federal court tosses out Lanier water agreement

A federal appeals court on Tuesday threw out an agreement that Georgia reached with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for water rights to Lake Lanier, handing Alabama and Florida a major victory in the states' water wars. The 2003 agreement with the corps would give Georgia about a quarter of Lake Lanier's capacity over the coming decades and is the foundation of Georgia's long-term plans for supplying drinking water ...

Head Start programs meet federal compliance

The Head Start and Early Head Start programs in 20 North Georgia counties have met full compliance from the federal Office of Head Start in Washington.

Technology fair set for Saturday at Lakeview Academy

About 100 students from five area schools are set to compete Saturday in the Lanier Regional Technology Fair at Lakeview Academy.

Residents say no to proposed retail center in South Hall

A developer's rezoning request for a nearly 10-acre shopping center proposed on Old Winder Highway in South Hall ignited tensions between Hall County residents and developers at a Hall County Planning Commission meeting Monday evening. The applicant, Dunhill Developers LLC, asked the Hall County Planning Commission to consider rezoning 9.9 acres of property adjacent to Mulberry River at the intersection of Old Winder Highway and Howington Road from agriculture and ...

Pieces of peace: Flag display sparks ‘season of nonviolence’

As presidential candidates debate the politics of the war in Iraq, local schools, churches and senior communities have contributed to a display of peace at Lakeshore Mall that is part of a national project called The Peace Quilt. More than 50 people ranging in age from preschoolers to senior citizens helped to create more than 100 squares that were sewn together to make roughly 40 flags declaring a statement for ...

Expert: Flu pandemic looks likely

The likelihood of an influenza pandemic within the next five to 10 years is "very high," according to an expert with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We have already seen cases of human-to-human transmission (of avian flu). We're one step from a pandemic," Dr. Sureyya Hornston told the Gainesville Rotary Club Monday. "I hate to sound pessimistic, but I have to tell you the truth." Hornston ...

Remains of missing hiker found in N.C.

BREVARD, N.C. - A body found in western North Carolina is a missing hiker believed to be a victim of a man who pleaded guilty to murdering a hiker in Georgia, authorities said Monday. The skeletal remains found Saturday by a hunter in Macon County were identified as belonging to John Bryant, who disappeared in October with his wife, Irene, while they were hiking in the Pisgah National Forest, ...

District may wait to build sixth elementary school

GAINESVILLE - A "shaky economy" and ownership issues has Gainesville city schools looking at putting off construction of its sixth elementary school, Mundy Mill Academy. The district had considered opening the school in the fall of 2009, with construction to start this year.

Miami, Mableton men charged in jewelry theft

Police have charged two Miami men and a Mableton man in the Thursday burglary of Gainesville Jewelry that resulted in the theft of more than $200,000 in merchandise.

Men arrested in meth bust in Buford

BUFORD - Three Mableton men face drug trafficking charges after they were arrested while delivering 11 ounces of methamphetamine to a parking lot in an undercover buy-bust operation Monday, authorities said.

Cancer center offers patients free art therapy

Treating cancer patients requires addressing the needs of body, mind and soul. As part of a more holistic approach, the Cancer Center at the Longstreet Clinic is offering free art therapy sessions to cancer patients and survivors on Thursday and again on Feb. 21.

Sheriff's officers complete immigration enforcement training

Nine Hall County Sheriff's officers were among 38 local law enforcement officers from around the nation now authorized to enforce federal immigration laws.

Vietnamese community wishes for blessing, success, life in new year

More than 150 people gathered at the Georgia Mountains Center arena Sunday afternoon to ring in the Vietnamese New Year with firecrackers, dragon dances and live music. The Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet Nguyen Dan, marks the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar and the beginning of spring.

Violent crime down in Gainesville

The city of Gainesville's crime statistics stayed about the same in 2007 as the previous year, with a low overall violent crime rate and a rise in business burglaries the only significant spike.

Lumpkin County Superintendent: Prayer encouraged as long as it doesn’t disrupt class

A week after a student-led prayer resulted in more than 50 Lumpkin County High School students skipping classes, the system's superintendent said no action will be taken other than working to educate teachers and students about the law pertaining to prayer in school.

Dawson County chief tax assessor facing drug charges

Dawson County's chief tax appraiser was arrested at his office Tuesday afternoon on misdemeanor drug charges.

Shred Away Cancer event set for today

The Times and Document Destruction Services Inc. are teaming up for a document shredding event today to benefit Relay for Life.

Ridgewood, Green Street intersection to close today

Ridgewood Avenue will be closed at its intersection with Green Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

Aguilar sentenced to 25 years in prison

A Gainesville man was sentenced Wednesday in Hall County Superior Court to 25 years in prison by Judge Andrew Fuller.

Ridgewood, Green Street intersection will be closed Thursday

Ridgewood Avenue will be closed at its intersection with Green Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

Dawson County tax official arrested on drug charges

Braselton hospital on pace to open in spring 2015

FLOWERY BRANCH - The beam from Anthony Williamson's laser pointer danced across a map of the planned Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton and the area beyond.

Class Notes: Focus group meeting to help find Dyer’s replacement

A focus group composed mostly of community members met Tuesday to talk about what the Gainesville school system should look for in its next superintendent.

Two picked for Florida A&M scholarships

A difficult decision of choosing the right college might be a little bit easier for two Gainesville High School students.

Rained-out First Friday concert rescheduled

The Southern Gentlemen Dixieland Jazz Band will perform a free concert Friday on the downtown square in Gainesville from 5-9 p.m.

Open house set at Gainesville water treatment plant Friday

The Gainesville Public Utilities Department will host an open house Friday from noon to 4 p.m. at Riverside Water Treatment Plant.

Man charged with felony murder in fatal wreck

A Gainesville man has been charged with felony murder in connection with his alleged role in a car crash that left a woman and toddler dead.

Man killed while crossing Ga. 53 on four-wheeler

A 73-year-old Dawson County man was killed Tuesday afternoon when he attempted to cross Ga. 53 on a four-wheeler and was hit by an oncoming pickup truck near Perimeter Road.

City to take over Red Rabbit bus service July 1

The Gainesville City Council unanimously approved Tuesday taking over the Red Rabbit fixed-route bus service starting July 1, while expressing disappointment with Hall County commissioners for putting it in that position.